National social stratification refers to the uneven distribution of wealth, power and authority among different ethnic groups, social institution and provinces within a given country. Conflict can occur between two classes due to the unequal distribution of resources. For instance, If Political, military and business elites use their power to obtain more resources from weak and deprived segments of a particular society.
However, Military of Pakistan is the most powerful institution within a country. Many military dictators had ruled over Pakistan for decades since its conception. So far, it is believed that Pakistan armed forces have great influence over democratic setting. Eminent political leaders and partisans have frequently expressed their concern regarding interference of military elites in politics. Moreover, Citizens of Pakistan also believe that their votes are not respected within a country because elections are rigged by army in order to select leader of their choice. Therefore, the outlook have been established among Pakistani populaces that military elites deprive them to elect their respective representatives and use their power to exploit government for their personal gain. Pakistan army had built cantonments all around the country. Where soldiers enjoy lavish life style even in under developed provinces. These cantonments have each and every facility, which an ordinary citizen of same geographical area can’t even imagine. Furthermore, armed forces of Pakistan have built Business Empires within Pakistan. They operate more than 50 commercial projects these include, housing projects, fertilizer industry, cement industry, livestock, gas stations, sugar mills and many more.
Pakistan is located in south Asia, it embraces four provinces, Punjab, Baluchistan, Sindh, Khyber Pashtun khwah (KPK) and two self-governing states under Pakistan federal administration Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Baluchistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area, its area is almost half of Pakistan. Two ethnic groups are inhabitant of Baluchistan Pashtun and Baloch they share almost similar culture. 50 minerals are extracted within Pakistan, out of which 40 are extracted from Balochistan. The biggest natural gas field of Pakistan (Sui gas field) is also located in Baluchistan. But yet Baluchistan is the poorest province in Pakistan; 72% inhabitants are living below the poverty line. Literacy rate of Baluchistan is 26% and unemployment rate is 80% (UNDP report).
Baluchistan has been endowed with abundant natural resources but yet it is the poorest province of Pakistan. The gas of Sui field is supplied to all over Pakistan except Baluchistan. Even people of Dera bugti are deprived of natural gas facility. Therefore in 2005, Akbar Bugti put some demand in front of Pakistan government. He was a Baloch leader, representative, tribal chief, former governor of Baluchistan, minister of state for interior as well as, minister of state for defense. His demands included 50 % revenue that is generated from Baluchistan natural resources to be invested in development projects within a province. Secondly, military should not establish more cantonments and business units on Baloch lands. Thirdly, quota of Baluchistan should be increased in federal public services. Lastly, freedom of politics; military should not interfere in political affairs of Baluchistan. At the time Pervez Musharraf a military dictator was the president of Islamic republic of Pakistan. He refused to accept the demands of Baloch leader Akbar bugti which resulted in armed conflict between, Balochs and Pakistan Army. Consequently, Baloch leader Akbar Bugti was killed on the orders of Pervez Musharraf on 24th august 2006 at district Kolu Baluchistan. This development pour fuel in to the fire, which further led to the establishment of separatist groups within Baluchistan. Baloch liberation army is one of the most prominent separatist group, which is still engaged in armed conflict with Pakistan army within Baluchistan. Whereas, other separatist groups include Baloch liberation front and Baloch republican army.
Nations support their armed forces and government until they work for national interest rather than personal gain. If citizens realize that, government and army are exploiting them for their own benefit nation will regard them as enemy. Public awareness of vast inequalities lead to establishment of violent class and armed conflict among ethnic groups within a country.
Pakistan comprises of six ethnic groups 44.7% Punjabi, 15.4% Pashtun, 14.1% Sindhi, 8.4% Saraiki, 7.6% Muhajir, 3.6% Balochs, 6.3% others. The dominant ethnic group in Pakistan is “Punjabi”; most of them live in Punjab province. They are political, business and military elites in Pakistan. Most of the businesses are owned by Punjabi. Punjab province has 177 seats out of 342 seats in national assembly, of Pakistan. Due to the high proportion of seats in national assembly Punjabi always secure majority and make their government. Punjab quota in federal public services and military services is 50%. Almost 80% of budget is allocated for military and Punjab province. Punjab province is the most developed province of Pakistan, which has beautiful cities, business industries and advanced educational institutes. The most oppressed and poor ethnic groups of Pakistan are Baloch and Pashtun. Their awareness regarding existing inequalities within a nation resulted in violent ethnic struggle.
Therefore, oppressed groups in Pakistan blame Punjabi ethnic group for their repression because they own means of production and possess political and military power. Only 20% of people in Baluchistan have access to clean water and electricity compared to 86% in rest of Pakistan. Such inequalities or unequal distribution of resources resulted in violent ethnic conflict between Punjabi and Pashtun — Punjabi and Baloch. Separatist groups in Baluchistan are killing Punjabi because they believe that, Punjabi elite are exploiting inhabitants of Baluchistan and its natural resources for their own benefit. Revenue which is generated from Baluchistan natural resources; is spent on, the development of Punjab and Pakistan military. Baluchistan province has more than 200 million metric tons of coal deposits, 2.5 million metric tons marble, one billion metric tons of copper, 300 million ounces of gold and 1.5 billion tons of granite. It has the largest area for livestock grazing, over 750 km of coastline that is rich with fishery and for decades it has supplied cheap natural gas to industrial areas of Pakistan.
Another reason of armed conflict between the ethnicity in Pakistan is using the under developed provinces and areas as buffer zones between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Baluchistan and FATA are among those regions which are being used as, buffer zones in cold war. These area have been kept underdeveloped. No educational, recreational and vocational institutions have been established in those areas. Both regions share border with Afghanistan. Pakistan was frontline Ally of US in cold war. During the epoch military dictator Zia ul Haq was head of Islamic republic of Pakistan.
American invented the new strategy, to use non state agents to forward American agenda. Therefore, America with the help of Pakistan exploited Islam. Pashtun of Baluchistan and FATA were exploited on the basis of their beliefs. They were told to wedge holy war (jihad) against the infidel USSR and if they die, during the war they will be rewarded with Janna (paradise) life after death. This strategy of America and its military ally Pakistan gave rise to fundamentalism in Pakistan. These areas of Pakistan still suffer from terrorism. Locals believe that, Punjabi ethnic group is responsible for the mentioned developments for the reason that, 60% soldiers are Punjabi in Pakistan army. Armed struggle is still going on between Pashtun and Pakistan Army in FATA. To cope with this situation now FATA has been annexed in KPK province in 2018. Before it was a semi-autonomous tribal region under Pakistan administration.
Written by; Khushdil Khan Kasi